Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday held a telephone call with United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, lauding the Gulf country’s “consistent and unwavering support to Pakistan”.

According to a press release, during their “warm and cordial conversation”, the two leaders “fondly” recalled their recent meetings in Islamabad and Rahim Yar Khan last month.

“The prime minister lauded the UAE’s consistent and unwavering support to Pakistan that had helped the country navigate through difficult challenges,” the statement said.

“This support was a manifestation of the historic, fraternal bonds between the leadership and the people of both countries,” PM Shehbaz was quoted as saying.

The statement added that the two leaders reaffirmed their shared desire to further enhance mutually beneficial cooperation between Pakistan and the UAE.

“The two leaders also exchanged views on other matters of mutual interest and agreed to remain in close contact,” the statement said.

In a post on the social media platform X, PM Shehbaz said, “Had a most warm and cordial telephone conversation with my dear brother His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.”

He said the two reaffirmed the shared resolve to further strengthen the historic, fraternal ties between Pakistan and the UAE and to expand mutually beneficial cooperation.

“I thanked his highness for the UAE’s consistent and unwavering support to Pakistan that had helped the country navigate through difficult challenges,” he said.